Aaron Finch century propels Australia to opening ODI win over England at the MCG

Ton up ... Aaron Finch notched his second ODI century to guide Australia home.

AAP: Mark Dadswell

Aaron Finch notched a superb century as Australia won the first one-day international of the five-match series, beating England by six wickets at the MCG on Sunday night.

Set a target of 270 to win, Finch's second ODI century helped set up a match-winning platform alongside opener David Warner in a superbly-paced run chase against the beleagured tourists.

Finch and Warner put on 163 runs for the opening wicket - the highest for Australia against England in ODIs - before Warner skied Joe Root to Ben Stokes at long-on to be dismissed for 65.

Shane Watson (0) lasted just two balls before he was bowled by Chris Jordan, but Michael Clarke (44) ensured there would be no slip-ups as he and Finch combined for a 72-run partnership.

Finch eventually fell for 121 off 128 balls, top-edging Stokes to Gary Ballance at third-man.

"I felt like I played quite well after the beginning. I had a bit of luck but that happens in cricket and you have to make the most of it when you do get your chances," Finch told Grandstand post-match.

To really contribute to a big partnership with [David Warner] and set a platform for the rest of the guys was really pleasing.

Aaron Finch

"You try to stick to a game plan and that was to try and take them on when they pitched it up.

"It just seemed to be my day. I thought the way David Warner played was really outstanding as well. To really contribute to a big partnership with him and set a platform for the rest of the guys was really pleasing.

"The wicket was a little bit on the slower side. We knew we had to be really disciplined with our driving. I'm just happy we got over the line."

George Bailey (17 not out) and Glenn Maxwell (9 not out) saw the hosts home with 26 balls to spare.

England's first innings saw another failure for captain Cook, who was dismissed for 4 on the fourth ball of the match, edging Clint McKay (3 for 44) behind to the keeper.

Joe Root (3) fell shortly after as the tourists endured a lean start, before Ballance joined Ian Bell at the crease to right the innings.

The pair put on a 40-run partnership for the third wicket before Bell was bowled by Xavier Doherty for 41 runs.

England's innings finally found momentum when Eoin Morgan joined Ballance in the middle, and together they amassed 83 runs, before Morgan (50 off 47) holed out to Nathan Coulter-Nile in the covers off Maxwell's bowling.

Ballance went on to make 79 off 96 balls, allowing Ravi Bopara (17), Stokes (21) and Jos Buttler (34 off 24) to propel England's innings to an above-par 7 for 269.